Gabriel has finally found his place in the Browns’ quarterback room.
Injured reserve. It’s almost perfect. The Browns can keep him without committing to him. Gabriel remains under contract and eligible to return, but he doesn’t occupy one of the 53 active roster spots. Cleveland begins the season with Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders and Taylen Green, while delaying another decision on the quarterback who has spent his entire career in organizational limbo. Good enough to keep. Rarely good enough to choose. The timing of Gabriel’s back injury certainly is convenient. Gabriel entered Thursday’s preseason finale against New England seemingly competing with Green for the third quarterback job. Then he completed 12 of 15 passes for 186 yards and three touchdowns, which perhaps made releasing him more difficult. The Browns had four quarterbacks and room for three. By Sunday, the Browns placed him on injured reserve with a designation to return. He must miss at least four games, but he does not count against the active roster. Problem solved. The injury may be completely legitimate. Gabriel reportedly hurt his back during the game, and there is no evidence the Browns fabricated anything. But injuries can also create opportunistic roster solutions. Both can be true. The Browns no longer had to choose between Gabriel, the former third-round pick who performed well in the finale, and Green, the rookie with the size, speed and physical upside this coaching staff clearly values. They retained both without sacrificing a roster spot at another position or exposing either quarterback to waivers.